By Cynthia Batuta and Sharon Akuboh
Worried by the rising number of out school girls in the Federal Capital Territory, and in a bid to uphold the theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child “Girls Vision for the Future” a non governmental organisation, Global Touch Charity Foundation, has awarded no fewer than 20 less privileged school girls in FCT scholarship from the basic, Secondary, and to tertiary institutions.
The scholarship was part of activities by GTCO to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child and aimed at promoting equitable, quality, and accessible education for all, especially for the girl child, in Nigeria who has everything working against them because of the gender which they have no control over.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the National Coordinator of GTCO, Liberator Omelora Princess Ngozi Joseph who explained the criteria used in selecting beneficiaries, added that the scholarship is in 3 categories and could be withdrawn if any beneficiary is found wanting.
According to Liberator Ngozi Joseph, ” two of the girls were picked up from the streets, they were hawking groundnut and had been out of school for like two years, we found them worthy to partake of the scholarship program of GTCO, ordinarily they were not having hope of going back to school but GTCO has brought smiles to their faces, she explained.”
Liberator Ngozi Joseph warned the beneficiaries that “if you score below average once, twice and you can’t meet up, the scholarship will be withdrawn because it is actually meant for intelligent girls to help them realize their potential and dreams of becoming Doctors, lawyers etc, those that don’t want to go to school we enroll them to learn skill after which we empower them”.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Dubby Eke, while speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, highlighted the incredible power that girls have to shape a brighter future. “Girl’s vision for the future is a powerful force for change.”
Stressing the need to empower girls, support their dreams, and break barriers aimed at creating an equitable society.
The beneficiaries who spoke to Weekenders magazine online, expressed their joy and thanked GTCO for the gesture in transforming their lives and called on other non-governmental organizations to borrow a leaf from GTCO in sending back to school out of school girls.
Earlier in a Goodwill message, the House of Representatives Member representing AMAC/Bwari Federal constituency, Hon Obika Chinedu represented by his Special Assistant and FCT Women leader Labour Party, Amb.Faith Onyeze and the Senator representing FCT, Sen Ireti Kingibe represented by her Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Mrs Mwuese Anande commended GTCO for the laudable initiative geared towards reducing the number of out of school children and empowering the Girl Child. They reiterated their commitment to promoting equitable education for all.
In a goodwill message, the President Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the FCT, Chief Eze Primacy John called for collective efforts towards human resources development, especially for the girl child’s education.
Major highlight of the event was the presentation of scholarship certificates to the beneficiaries, as their parents observed with tears of joy.